Photographic projection device

ABSTRACT

A photographic projection device suitable for providing custom illumination in the printing of uneven negatives. The projection device includes a flexible reflector operatively mounted and aligned within a lamphouse for reflecting light from a variable intensity source through the projection opening of the lamphouse. In addition, the projection device further includes both base mounted adjustment controls for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus, and a spool mounted filter assembly for selectively super-imposing correction filters over the lamphouse projection opening.

United States Patent 1191 Nowak [451 May28, 1974 1 1 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECTION DEVICE [76] Inventor: George R. Nowak, 423 Engle Blvd.,

Park Ridge, 111. 60068 [22] Filed: Sept. 5, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 286,227

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 819,499, April 25,

1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 355/71, 355/37, 355/52, 355/63, 355/69, 355/70 [51] Int. Cl. G03b 27/76 [58] Field of Search 355/32, 55, 62, 63, 67, 355/71, 52; 240/4135 R, 103 R, 103 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,209 5/1923 Chanier 355/52 X 2,254,125 8/1941 Tarullo 355/63 2,552,990 5/1951 McKay 355/52 3,044,351 7/1962 Patterson.... 355/63 X 3,146,662 9/1964 Pettis 355/63 Mitchell 355/32 DeBenedictis 240/103 X Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Michael L. Gellner Attorney, Agent, or FirmWolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT A photographic projection device suitable for providing custom illumination in the printing of uneven negatives. The projection device includes a flexible reflector operatively mounted and aligned within a lamphouse for reflecting light from a variable intensity source through the projection opening of the lamphouse. In addition, the projection device further includes both base mounted adjustment controls for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus, and a spool mounted filter assembly for selectively super-imposing correction filters over the lamphouse projection opening.

14 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures WENIED MAY 28 1974 EI MI a: is

1 PHOTOGRAPI-IIC PROJECTION DEVICE This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending application Ser. No. 819,499, filed Apr. 25, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for projecting photographic images, and more particularly to a photographic enlarger characterized by improved illumination balance, filter selectivity and adjustment control.

Various prior art enlargers are available which, when used by a skilled operator, are acceptable for producing a high quality photographic print. Nevertheless, each of these respective enlargers suffers from one drawback or another which reduces the chances for achieving truly professional results. For example, the raising and lowering controls on most enlargers are positioned adjacent the enlarger head. With such an arrangement, the operator, wishing to increase the size of an enlargement, is drawn away from the projected image, making it difficult for him to observe the optimum point of focal adjustment. Likewise, the operator working with prior art apparatus has generally found it necessary to resort to the technique of dodging when printing from an uneven negative. This technique requires the operator to interpose a piece of cardboard, or other object, between the lens and the projected image so as to shade the lighter areas of the image while allowing the denser areas to be exposed to the light source for a longer period of time. As wouldbe expected, much experience is required before an operator develops sufficient skill in the use of this technique to insure quality results.

It is the aim of the present invention to eliminate these disadvantages found in prior art apparatus, and to provide an improved photographic enlarger which enables even the non-professional operator to achieve professional results at all times.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a photographic enlarger wherein lighting imbalances can be compensated for without resorting to dodging.

It is a related object to provide a photographic enlarger having a variable intensity light source for custom lighting uneven negatives.

Another object of the invention is to provide a photographic enlarger, of the foregoing type, wherein the enlargement and focusing controls are conveniently lo-. cated near the work surface so as to enable the operator to readily observe the projected image whileadjustments are being made.

A further object is to provide a photographic enlarger, of the foregoing type, which provides a full range of color filters for both additive and substractive filtration.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of a photographic enlarger constructed in accordance with the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the photographic enlarger shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view showing the control panel located near the base of the enlarger;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the control panel taken substantially in the vertical plane of line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the lamphouse of the enlarger taken substantially in the vertical plane of line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the lamphouse taken substantially in the vertical plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross section view taken substantially in the horizontally plane of line 7-7 in FIG. 5 and showing the control points on the flexible reflector;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially in the horizontal plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 5 and showing the radiant light source positioned about the projection opening;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of a rocker arm used for controlling the contour of the flexible reflector;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the filter lens mount taken substantially in the horizontal plane of line 10-l0 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken substantially in the horizontal plane of line lIlI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken substantially in the horizontal plane of line l2I2 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken substantially in the horizontal plane of line 13I3 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a side view, partially in section, showing the mechanism for focusing and for raising-lowering the enlarger head;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 15l5 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top view, partially in section, showing the base controls for focusing and for raising-lowering the enlarger head; and

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken substantially in the vertical plane of line 1717 in FIG. 16.

While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. I and 2 a photographic enlarger 20 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Generally speaking, the enlarger 20 includes a light source 22 for illuminating a photographic negative and a lens assembly 24 for projecting the image carried by the negative onto a sheet of photographic paper or other suitable receiving surface. More specifically, the enlarger 20 includes a lamphouse 28, slidably carried by a support assembly 30 for vertical adjustment with respect to a horizontal base 26. Also, carried by the support 30, the lens assembly 24 is coupled to to the lamphouse 28 and operatively aligned with a projection opening 32 in the bottom thereof. And,-the negative, supported in a negative carrier 33, is positioned beneath the projection opening. Accordingly, in operation, the enlarger resembles a lantem-slide projector, or a camera in which the negative is the subject and the photographic paper corresponds to the film.

To increase or decrease the respective size of the projected image, the lamphouse 28 is simply raised or lowered with respect to the base 26. As this is done, the

focal distance between the lens 24 and the base 26 will also change.'Accordingly, in order to insure a properly focused image it will also be necessary to adjust the distance between the lens 24 and the photographic film carried by the lamphouse 28. For this purpose, adjustment controls are shown in the form of hand cranks 34 and 36 positioned near the base of the enlarger. In keeping with an important aspect of the present invention, means are positioned within the lamphouse in operative alignment with the projection opening for providing balanced illumination to the negative. To this end, a plurality of individually controlled electric lamps 38 are located at the base of the lamphouse 28 about the projection, opening 32 to form a source of radiant light. This light is projected upwardly by a concave reflector 40 carried by the lower portion of the lamphouse 28 and having a central opening 42 which frames the negative and corresponds in size with the lamphouse projection opening 32. In the illustrated embodiment, this opening is shown as a rectangle. However, the projection opening may have any shape and, in general, is sized to correspond with the negative being processed, the maximum dimensions being dependent merely upon the size of the enlarger.

To receive the lamps 38, a plurality of lamp openings 44 are provided in the side walls of the concave reflector 40. These openings are sized to accommodate the electric lamps 38, with adequate room for ventilation. While the number and size of bulbs 38 may vary depending upon the size of the enlarger, ten 75-watt quartz light bulbs are shown for the X 7 enlarger of the illustrated embodiment, with each bulb being positioned so as to provide maximum reflection into the interior of the lamphouse. Spaced from the concave reflector 40, a flexible reflector 46 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is mounted in the upper portion of the lamphouse 28 and aligned with the projection opening 32 for reflecting the upwardly reflected light from the lamps 38 back through the projection opening 32. This reflector generally will have a greater reflector value than the adjacent surfaces of the lamphouse. In the illustrated embodiment, it is constructed from a sheet of white silicone rubber, calendered to a thickness of one-eighth inch and having a textured reflecting surface.

To enable custom illumination of the photographic negative framed by the reflector openings 42, adjustable reflector mounting means are provided for independently varying the linear distance between selected portions of the flexible reflector 46 and the concave reflector 40 and quartz lamps 38. To this end,-a plurality of independently controlled linear actuators 48 are provided for remotely controlling the contour of selected portions of the reflector 46. ln the illustrated embodiment, the reflector 46 is suspended above the projection opening 32 by twelve actuators 48 connected to 12 separate control points 5061 on the upper surface thereof. As shown, each of these actuators includes a push rod 65 threaded through a flexible support guide 67 with its lower end connected to the reflector surface via a swivel socket 69.

While it was originally thought that the linear movement of each actuator 65 could be directly controlled by a flexible controlcable connected to its upper end, it was found that this arrangement tended to cause binding. Accordingly, it has been found preferable to interpose a rocker arm-assembly 70 between the linear actuator 65 andthe flexible control cable. To this end,

the contour of the reflector 46 is controlled by manipulating the control knobs 72 which are mounted on a control panel 74, near the base 26 of the enlarger. As a given control knob 72 is drawn outwardly from the control panel 74, a flexible cable 76 (FIGS. 4-6) transmits the motion to the slider 78 of a corresponding rocker arm assembly 70. This draws the slider 78 rearwardly in a slide channel 80 causing the front end of a rocker arm 88, mounted on a shaft 90 between a pair of upright supports 92, 94 to pivot downwardly as the respective ends of a small pivot arm 82 rotate about hinge pins 84, 86. The push rod is in turn depressed, causing a corresponding depression in the surface contour of reflector 46. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this increases the illumination below that portion of the reflector since the intensity of light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.

Conversely when a control knob 72 is pushed back in, the flexible cable 76 actuates the slide 78 for forward movement in the guide channel 80 causing the larger rocker arm 88 to lift the push rod 65, as it pivots about the shaft 90. Thus, it can be seen that by adjusting the various control knobs 72, the contour of the reflector 46 can be adapted for a wide range of custom lighting conditions. Accordingly, if a negative being processed is denser in a particular area, more light can be supplied to that area by simply depressing the reflector 46 adjacent that point. In this way, a balanced exposure can be achieved without resorting to the old method of dodging.

Although the flexible reflector 46 is generally capable of assuming whatever contour is required to provide balanced illumination to an uneven negative, a situation might occasionally arise where, because of an extreme imbalance in the exposure of a negative, adequate illumination cannot be obtained through manipulation of the flexible reflector 46. In keeping with the invention, additional adjustments to the lighting conditions can be made in the lamphouse by turning off the quartz lamps 38, adjacent the lighter areas of the negative. To this end, individual switches 98 are mounted on the control panel 74 and electrically connected to the lamphouse for controlling each of the respective lamps 38. Also provided, is a master switch 99 which overrides the switches 98 when the lamphouse is not in use.

To prevent the lamphouse from overheating, exhaust means are provided which draw air through the openings 44 in the lower reflector 40 and'up over the flexible reflector 46 before discharging it through exhaust hoses 98, positioned in the upper portion of the lamphouse. To this end, an exhaust blower is provided for effecting air flow through the lamphouse. The blower is not shown in the drawings, however, since it is a common item which can be mounted at any convenient location on the enlarger housing.

Referring to FIG. 9, a slightly modified embodiment of the rocker arm assembly is shown. In this embo di ment, small electric motors are provided for controlling the movement of the sliders 78. As shown, the shaft of a single phase, reversible motor 102 is coupled for rotation to one end of a worm screw 100. The other end of the worm screw is, in turn, threaded through a screw bore in the slider 78. Accordingly, the control handles 72 and the flexible cables 76 are replaced, in this embodiment, by control switches and electrical cables (not shown). In operation, the slider 78 advances along worm screw 100 as the motor rotates in one direction and moves backwards along worm screw 100 as the motor rotates in the other direction. The resultant pivotal movement of rocker arm 88 about shaft 90 moves the linear actuator 48 causing a corresponding linear deflection in the flexible reflector 46.

Although various motors are available which are suitable for the use intended herein, one which has been found to provide satisfactory results in a ll5-volt, 60 cycle, 30 rpm (5 in oz torque) motor available through Allied Electronics and designated as part No. 41 D7150 C.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, color correction filter means 110 are selectively positioned on the lens assembly 24 for superimposing regions of varied filter intensity over the projection opening. To this end, a filter lens mount 112 is mounted on a bracket 114 carried by the support 30 for movement with the lens assembly 24. As shown in FIGS. -12, the filter lens mount 112 is provided with three separate filter strips 115-117. Each of these filter strips is mounted on its own pair of spools 121, 122, positioned for independently transporting the filter past the lens opening as it is wound from one spool to the other. And, the spools in each independent pair 121, 122 are keyed to move in unison by connecting a spring belt 125-127 between pulleys 129, 130 which are mounted at the ends of the shafts 132, 133. In keeping with the illustrated embodiment, the surface of each spool 121, 122 is separated into two parts by a ridge 135 which separates the respective filter strips 115-117 from corresponding filter number indicator strips 137-139, provided with each filter. The filter strips and the filter number indicator strips are both set on small roller guides 141 which maintain the strips in flat alignment and in close proximity to the lens opening. As a result, distortion in the projected image, resulting from a loose fit or from curled edges, is eliminated. The guide 141 also guides the filter number strips 137-139 as they move past an indicator window 145. As shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 12, the filter indicator strips 137-139 are raised perpendicularly from the spool surface in passing the indicator window 145. This is done to assist in identifying the particular filter which is being passed in front of the lens at a particular moment. To that end, each filter indicator strip carries a series of indicator numbers and is tinted the same color as the filter which it is identifying.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of positioning the respective filter strips on the spools 121, 122 is irrelevant. The only thing which is important is that'the proper colors are included within a given filter lens mount Magneta, Cyan and Yellow for substractive filtration, and Red, Blue and Green for additive filtration.

In the illustrated embodiment it is contemplated that each filter strip 115-117 will be 0.0025 inches thick, 3 inches wide and 17 feet long. A hole 2 inches in diameter is provided at one end of each strip following a 10 inch lead section. The hole is used for focusing without filtration, or for printing without filtration when the filter lens mount 112 is positioned in place. This hole is indicated by the numbers 00 on the filter indicator strip. The next filter indicator number is 0, indicating a 2 inch portion of the filter strip wherein the filter is in position without filtration. The remaining portion of each filter includes a range of color segments which extend from wratten 0.01 through 120, with a 0.01 wratten change occurring at each 1 k inch interval. In connection herewith, it should be noted that the length of each color segment has been selected to insure that the area covered by each specific segments is sufficiently large to completely cover the lens opening.

Since the colors of subtractive filtration differ from the colors of additive filtration, two separate lens mount assemblies are required to cover the complete range of additive and subtractive color filtrations. These lens mounts can simply be interchanged on the assembly as required.

To transport a filter strip from one spool to another, transport means are provided in the form of a ratchet drive. To this end, a counterbore 156 is provided in alignment with the shaft bore at one of each of the spools 121, 122. A ratchet spring 156 is carried by each spool on the inner surface of the counterbore 156 and aligned for engagement with the ratchet gear 155. As will be appreciated from the ratchet arrangement, the teeth of gear 135 will engage the spring 157 and carry the filter spool for rotation in one direction, while -slipping past the spring 157 during rotation in the opposite direction. Accordingly, since the spools 121, 122 are loosely mounted for rotation on shafts 132, 133 and since the ratchet gears 155 mounted on the shafts 132 have their teeth aligned opposite from the ratchet gears 155 mounted on shafts 133, the respective filter spools will be driven by shaft movement in only one direction while remaining free wheeling during shaft movement in the opposite direction. Thus, in keeping with the invention, the likelihood of misalignment or buckling of the filter strips is greatly reduced. To further insure that a respective spool does not rotate while free wheeling, drag buttons 159 are provided for applying a frictional drag against the housing wall of the filter lens mount.

To enable rapid adjustment of the individual spool assemblies, adjustment knobs 150 are positioned on extended shafts and coupled via respective gear assemblies 147 to each of the spool shaft 133. In the illustrated embodiment, it is contemplated that the gear assemblies 147 will have a gear ratio of 4 to 1.

In accordance with still another feature of the present invention, adjustment means are provided for selectively adjusting the height of the lamphouse 28 and for focusing the lens assembly 24. For convenience of operation, these adjustment means are controlled from a point near the base 26 of the enlarger by a focusing handle 36 and a raising-lowering handle 34. It should be'noted, in connection therewith, that although the handles are shown for manual operation,-aut0matic control can be provided if a more sophisticated enlarger is desired.

Referring to FIGS. 14-17, the focusing handle 36 is connected by shaft to a drive sprocket 122. This sprocket is, in turn, connected by a drive chain 124 to a second sprocket 126, carried on a shaft 128 for rotation in unison with a miter gear 130. The miter gear engages and drives a second miter gear 132 causing a first drive rod 134, connected therewith, to rotate. The direction of rotation controls the focusing adjustment and, of course, is determined by the direction in which focusing handle 36 is moving.

To raise and lower the lens assembly, a combination pulley and worm gear 138 is connected to a drive pulley 136 by an elastic belt 140. At the same time, the lens assembly 24 and bellows 144 are mounted on a bracket 114 which is coupled to the lower end of a lens rack 146. As the pulley 136 rotates the worm screw portion of pulley 138 engages the rack gears and moves the lens assembly up or down depending on the rotational direction of the shaft 134.

To insure that the belt 140 remains properly positioned on pulleys 136 and 138 during operation, despite the angular relationship between these respective pulleys, a depressor roller 142 is positioned in contact with a mid-portion of the belt 140. It should be noted in connection with this arrangement that although the pulley 136 is free to slide along the drive rod 134, it is restrained from rotation due to the square cross section of the rod. As a result, it is possible to focus the lens despite elevational changes in the lamphouse positioning.

Raising and lowering of the lamphouse in order to change the size of the projected image is controlled by the enlargement handle 34, Similar to the connections described in connection with the focusing handle 36, the enlargement handle 34 is connected by a shaft 150 to a first drive sprocket 152. The sprocket 152, inturn, is coupled to a second drive rod 154 via a drive chain 156, a sprocket 157, and a pair of miter gears 158 and 159. A third drive rod 162 is aligned in parallel with the drive rod 154 and connected by a drive belt 164 for rotation in unison therewith. Worm gears 168, 169 are slidably mounted on the respective drive rods 154, 162 and restrained thereon from rotation by the square cross sectional dimensioning of the shaft. Positioned adjacent the worm gears 168, 169 and in engagement therewith are a pair of stationary rack gears 170, 171 attached to the support assembly 30. Since the lamphouse is coupled by a bracket 180 to the worm gears 168, 169, the lamphouse is raised and lowered as the worm gears 168, 169 move against the rack gears 170, 171 in response to the turning of the enlargement handle 34.

By properly selecting suitable gear ratios for the sprockets 122, 126 and 152, 157, respectively, the raising and lowering of the lamphouse and the focusing of the lens assembly can be accomplished easily with a minimum amount of effort. In the illustrated embodiment, the focusing mechanism is provided with a 4 to 1 gear ratio while the raising and lowering mechanism is provided with a 6 to 1 gear ratio.

Thus, it is seen that an improved photographic enlarger has been provided in accordance with the objects of this invention. As we have seen, the enlarger includes avaria'ble intensity light source for custom lighting uneven negatives. It also includes base mounted adjustment controls and a full range of color filters.

What is claimed is: v

1. Apparatus for projecting photographic images comprising, in combination: a base, a lamphouse slidably carried by a support for movement relative to the base and having a projection opening at one end; color correction filter means including a pair, of spools spaced adjacent the projection opening; a coiled strip of continuously graduated filter material carried on one spool and connected to the other spool, and transport means for transporting the stripped filter material from one spool to the other for superimposing a region of desired filter intensity over the projection opening; a lens operatively aligned with the projection opening and carried by a lens rack for movement relative to the lamphouse; adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus; means associated with the lamphouse for supporting a photographic film in operative alignment with the projection opening; and means positioned within the lamphouse in alignment with said projection opening for providing balanced illumination on the photographic film.

2. Apparatus for projecting photographic images comprising in combination: a base; a lamphouse slidably carried by a support for movement relative to the base and having a projection opening at one end; color correction filter means selectively positionable for superimposing regions of varied filter intensity over the projection opening; a lens operatively aligned with the projection opening and carried by a lens rack for movement relative to the lamphouse; adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus including first and second drive rods carried by the base for rotation parallel to the direction of lamphouse movement on the support, first gear means for engaging the lens rack, said first gear means being slidably'carried by the first drive rod and keyed thereto for rotation, second gear means slidably carried by the second drive rod and keyed thereto for rotation, a support rack carried by the base parllel to the support in meshing engagement with the second gear means, and adjustment means carried by the base for individually rotating the drive rods; means associated with the lamphouse for supporting a photographic film in operative alignment withthe projection opening; and means positioned within the lamphouse and operatively aligned with the projection opening for providing balanced illumination on the photographic film.

3. Apparatus for projecting photographic images comprising, in combination: a base; a lamphouse slidably carried by a support for movement relative to the base and having a projection opening at one end; color correction filter means selectively positionable for superimposing regions of varied filter intensity over the projection opening, said color correction means including a pair of spools spaced adjacent the projection opening, a coiled strip of continuously graduated filter material carried on one spool and connected to the other spool, and transport means for transporting the strip filter from one spool to the other a'lens operatively aligned with the projection opening and carried by a lens rack for movement relative to the lamphouse; adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus; means associated with the lamphouse for supporting a photographic film in operative alignment with the projection opening; and variable intensity light source means located within the lamphouse and including a radiant light source positioned adjacent to and surrounding the projection opening, a flexible reflector mounted within the lamphouse and positioned in spaced relationship opposite the projection opening for reflecting light from the ra diant light source back through the projection opening, and adjustable reflector mounting means for independently varying, the linear distance between selected portions of the flexible reflector and the radiant light source and projection opening.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 having a second pair of spools and a third pair of spools, each pair containing a strip of continuously graduated filter material positioned in superimposed array with respect to the projection opening, with each of the three strip filters being of a complementary filter color.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which the strip of filter material is continuously graduated in filter density from a region of maximum density to a region of minimum density, and carries a cutout opening in the region of minimum density,

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which each spool carries a separator means dividing the spool axially between a filter section and an indicia section, a coiled indicia strip carried on the indicia section of the spool with indicia corresponding to the filter intensity of a corresponding section of filter material, a window in the housing, and indicia viewing means for visually presenting the indicia strip at the window.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which the indicia viewing means includes path-defining means for turning indicia strips perpendicular to the filter strip for viewing, and in which the window is carried adjacent the projection opening.

8. Apparatus for projecting photographic images comprising, in combination: a base, a lamphouse slidably carried by a support for movement relative to the base and having a projection opening at one end; color correction filter means selectively positionable for superimposing regions of varied filter intensity over the projection opening; a lens operatively aligned with the projection opening and carried by a lens rack for movement relative to the lamphouse; adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus, said adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus comprising in combination, first and second drive rods carried by the base for rotation parallel to the direction of lamphouse movement on the support, first gear means for engaging the lens rack, said first gear means being slidably carried by the first drive rod and keyed thereto for rotation, saecond gear means slidably carried by the second drive rod and keyed thereto for rotation, a support rack carried by the base parallel to the support in meshing engagement with the second gear means, and adjustment means carried by the base for individually rotating the drive rods; means associated with the lamphouse for supporting a photographic film in operative alignment with the projection opening; and variable intensity light source means located within the lamphouse and including a radiant light source positioned adjacent to and surrounding the projection opening, a flexible reflector mounted within the lamphouse and positioned in spaced relationship opposite the projection opening for reflecting light from the radiant light source back through the projection opening, and adjustable reflector mounting means for independently varying the linear distance between selected portions of the flexible reflector and the radiant light source and projection opening.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which the support and drive rods are angled with respect to the base with the lens rack being vertical with respect to the base, and in which the first gear means includes a pulley slidably keyed to the first drive shaft, a second pulley, a focusing gear carried by the lamphouse for rotation perpendicular to the base and driven by the second pulley, a drive belt connecting the first and second pulleys, and guide means for locating the drive belt relative to said pulleys.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which the adjustment means includes a first manually rotatable hand wheel for rotating the first drive rod, a second manually rotatable hand wheel for rotating the second drive rod, and reduction gear means connecting each drive rod to its respective hand wheel.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the interior of the lamphouse adjacent the flexible reflector has a surface of substantially less reflective value than that of the flexible reflector.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the flexible reflector consists of a sheet of white silicone rubber material having a textured reflective surface.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the light source includes a plurality of individually controlled electric lamps having switch means connected thereto for turning selected ones of said lamps off.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the reflector mounting means includes a plurality of linear actuators disposed for movement toward and away from the light source, with each actuator having actuation means for remote adjustment of the reflector position. 

1. Apparatus for projecting photographic images comprising, in combination: a base, a lamphouse slidably carried by a support for movement relative to the base and having a projection opening at one end; color correction filter means including a pair of spools spaced adjacent the projection opening; a coiled strip of continuously graduated filter material carried on one spool and connected to the other spool, and transport means for transporting the stripped filter material from one spool to the other for superimposing a region of desired filter intensity over the projection opening; a lens operatively aligned with the projection opening and carried by a lens rack for movement relative to the lamphouse; adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus; means associated with the lamphouse for supporting a photographic film in operative alignment with the projection opening; and means positioned within the lamphouse in alignment with said projection opening for providing balanced illumination on the photographic film.
 2. Apparatus for projecting photographic images comprising in combination: a base; a lamphouse slidably carried by a support for movement relative to the base and having a projection opening at one end; color correction filter means selectively positionable for superimposing regions of varied filter intensity over the projection opening; a lens operatively aligned with the projection opening and carried by a lens rack for movement relative to the lamphouse; adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus including first and second drive rods carried by the base for rotation parallel to the direction of lamphouse movement on the support, first gear means for engaging the lens rack, said first gear means being slidably carried by the first drive rod and keyed thereto for rotation, second gear means slidably carried by the second drive rod and keyed thereto for rotation, a support rack carried by the base parllel to the support in meshing engagement with the second gear means, and adjustment means carried by the base for individually rotating the drive rods; means associated with the lamphouse for supporting a photographic film in operative alignment with the projection opening; and means positioned within the lamphouse and operatively aligned with the projection opening for providing balanced illumination on the photographic film.
 3. Apparatus for projecting photographic images comprising, in combination: a base; a lamphouse slidably carried by a support for movement relative to the base and having a projection opening at one end; color correction filter means selectively positionable for superimposing regions of varied filter intensity over the projection opening, said color correction means including a pair of spools spaced adjacent the projection opening, a coiled strip of continuously graduated filter material carried on one spool and connected to the other spool, and transport means for transporting the strip filter from one spool to the other a lens operatively aligned with the projection opening and carried by a lens rack fOr movement relative to the lamphouse; adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus; means associated with the lamphouse for supporting a photographic film in operative alignment with the projection opening; and variable intensity light source means located within the lamphouse and including a radiant light source positioned adjacent to and surrounding the projection opening, a flexible reflector mounted within the lamphouse and positioned in spaced relationship opposite the projection opening for reflecting light from the radiant light source back through the projection opening, and adjustable reflector mounting means for independently varying the linear distance between selected portions of the flexible reflector and the radiant light source and projection opening.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 having a second pair of spools and a third pair of spools, each pair containing a strip of continuously graduated filter material positioned in superimposed array with respect to the projection opening, with each of the three strip filters being of a complementary filter color.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which the strip of filter material is continuously graduated in filter density from a region of maximum density to a region of minimum density, and carries a cutout opening in the region of minimum density.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which each spool carries a separator means dividing the spool axially between a filter section and an indicia section, a coiled indicia strip carried on the indicia section of the spool with indicia corresponding to the filter intensity of a corresponding section of filter material, a window in the housing, and indicia viewing means for visually presenting the indicia strip at the window.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which the indicia viewing means includes path-defining means for turning indicia strips perpendicular to the filter strip for viewing, and in which the window is carried adjacent the projection opening.
 8. Apparatus for projecting photographic images comprising, in combination: a base, a lamphouse slidably carried by a support for movement relative to the base and having a projection opening at one end; color correction filter means selectively positionable for superimposing regions of varied filter intensity over the projection opening; a lens operatively aligned with the projection opening and carried by a lens rack for movement relative to the lamphouse; adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus, said adjustment means for selectively varying the lamphouse height and the lens focus comprising in combination, first and second drive rods carried by the base for rotation parallel to the direction of lamphouse movement on the support, first gear means for engaging the lens rack, said first gear means being slidably carried by the first drive rod and keyed thereto for rotation, saecond gear means slidably carried by the second drive rod and keyed thereto for rotation, a support rack carried by the base parallel to the support in meshing engagement with the second gear means, and adjustment means carried by the base for individually rotating the drive rods; means associated with the lamphouse for supporting a photographic film in operative alignment with the projection opening; and variable intensity light source means located within the lamphouse and including a radiant light source positioned adjacent to and surrounding the projection opening, a flexible reflector mounted within the lamphouse and positioned in spaced relationship opposite the projection opening for reflecting light from the radiant light source back through the projection opening, and adjustable reflector mounting means for independently varying the linear distance between selected portions of the flexible reflector and the radiant light source and projection opening.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which the support and drive rods are angled with respect to the base with the lens rack being vertical with respect to the base, and in which the first gear means includes a pulley slidably keyed to the first drive shaft, a second pulley, a focusing gear carried by the lamphouse for rotation perpendicular to the base and driven by the second pulley, a drive belt connecting the first and second pulleys, and guide means for locating the drive belt relative to said pulleys.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which the adjustment means includes a first manually rotatable hand wheel for rotating the first drive rod, a second manually rotatable hand wheel for rotating the second drive rod, and reduction gear means connecting each drive rod to its respective hand wheel.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the interior of the lamphouse adjacent the flexible reflector has a surface of substantially less reflective value than that of the flexible reflector.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the flexible reflector consists of a sheet of white silicone rubber material having a textured reflective surface.
 13. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the light source includes a plurality of individually controlled electric lamps having switch means connected thereto for turning selected ones of said lamps off.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the reflector mounting means includes a plurality of linear actuators disposed for movement toward and away from the light source, with each actuator having actuation means for remote adjustment of the reflector position. 